The Whale Coast Route in Western Cape

About The Whale Coast Route

The Whale Route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is a popular drive that easily rivals Chapman's Peak in Cape Town as one of the most scenic in the country - views over False Bay are incredible.

Did you know? The Whale Route is in the Overberg and is where some of the best whale viewing spots in the country are found between August and December.

The beautiful Overberg – just 'over the mountain' from Cape Town – has five routes one can follow when visiting the area, designed by Overberg Tourism. The Overberg is brimming over with attractions, towns to visit and sights to see, and it makes it that much easier to break it down into a couple of routes, or just one, every time you visit.

The first of these is the Whale Route, and possibly the most obvious as it is in the Overberg that some of the best whale viewing spots in the country are found between August and December.

The route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is a popular drive that easily rivals Chapman's Peak in Cape Town as one of the most scenic in the country – views over False Bay are incredible on clear days.

One passes through the villages of Rooiels, Pringle Bay and on to Betty's Bay, where Stony Point is a popular spot to visit one of only two mainland African Penguin colonies. Just around the corner is the wonderful Harold Porter Botanical Garden, which is well worth a visit.

Pressing on, the route reaches Kleinmond where joining the R43 will bring you to Hermanus, which boasts not only some of the world's best land-based whale watching, but has its very own whale crier during the season.

On through the town of Stanford, a beautiful village on the edge of the Klein River and on to Gansbaai – known as Great White Shark country because of the shark cage diving available here. The route ends at Die Dam, but you could also continue on to Baardskeerdersbos, Elim and Cape Agulhas, if the whim takes you.

Need to Know

WhereThe Whale Route, Cape Overberg Region, Western Cape, South Africa

WhenOpen daily (best between August and December).

OvernightStay in Cape Overberg Accommodation, Western Cape

Disclaimer

Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.

Feedback?

If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.

Additional Reading

Also See These Attractions

Nature Reserves

Grootbos Nature Reserve

Grootbos Nature Reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills that overlook the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. This multi-award winning 1750 ha reserve is home to more than 740 different species of plants is a nature lover’s ...

Find out more

Cultural / Miscellaneous / Uniquely South African

Hermanus Whale Crier

Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast has its very own whale crier, and, what’s more, Hermanus lays claim to the only whale crier in the world. The popular town of Hermanus, connected directly to the Mother City by the R43 and N2, is famous for whale ...

Find out more

Nature Reserves

Walker Bay Nature Reserve

Extending along a stretch of coast between the town of De Kelders and the Hermanus Lagoon, the Walker Bay Nature Reserve lies just 3 kilometres from Gansbaai, east of Hermanus on the Danger Point Peninsula. One can get into the reserve at Stanford, via ...

Find out more

All About The Whales

Want to go whale watching in South Africa? South Africa is known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Explore our 'whale watching' pages below to find out when, where and how to see the whales in South Africa...